Amendments regarding the entry conditions of third country nationals

PRESS RELEASE

Entry into Force of EU Regulation no 610/2013 – Amendments regarding the entry conditions of third country nationals

In light of the entry into force on 19 of July 2013 of the Regulation of the EU no. 610/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council of 26th of June 2013, regarding the amendment of Regulation 562/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15th of March 2006, establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95 and EC No 539/2001 and Regulations (EC) 767/2008 and EC No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the public is informed that from the 19th of July 2013, the Republic of Cyprus will implement fully the provisions of the aforementioned Regulation.It is noted that the Schengen Borders Code establishes common rules on standards and procedures for the control of entry of persons at the external borders of the member states of the European Union and its implementation is obligatory for Cyprus. The above Regulation introduces several amendments aiming to increase the clarity of the Schengen Borders Code and limit the prospects of different interpretations by the Member States.An important amendment that should be especially noted, is the one regarding the conditions of entry for third country nationals. The Regulation mentions that for intended stays on the territory of the Member States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, which entails considering the 180-day period preceding each day of stay, third country nationals must be in possession of a valid travel document, which must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States (in a justified case of emergency this obligation may be waived) and which has been issued within the previous 10 years from the date of entry to the Member State.